Mew Gull

Metadata also available as

Metadata:

Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
The British Columbia Marine Conservation Analysis (BCMCA), a Tides Canada Initiatives Project
Publication_Date: 03/2010
Title: Mew Gull
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Ecological Data
Publication_Information:
Publisher: BCMCA
Online_Linkage:
\\vancouverserver\gis\BCMCA\data4Marxan_May2010\Seabirds\nearshore_marxan_features.mdb
Description:
Abstract:
The British Columbia Marine Conservation Analysis (BCMCA) is a collaborative project assembling and analyzing spatial information about Canada's Pacific Ocean. The overall goal of the BCMCA is to identify marine areas of high conservation value and marine areas important to human use. Results of the project are intended to inform and help advance marine planning initiatives in BC by providing collaborative, peer-reviewed scientific analyses based on the best ecological and human use spatial data at scales relevant to a BC coast-wide analysis.
Purpose:
The purpose of this dataset is to incorporate all near shore data identifying Mew gull winter sites (October, November, December, January, February), process and summarize weighted densities by BCMCA planning unit to help inform the marine feature identified at the BCMCA Seabirds Workshop. Data presented as 2 km x 2 km planning units for MARXAN analysis.
Supplemental_Information:
This dataset is a compilation of data collected by many people, for different purposes, using different survey techniques with different methodologies within each technique and, therefore, considerable care must be taken when using the data, even for site-specific inquiries. Refer to the original metadata document for data limitations and usage. Title or link is provided within source information. Data was collected, merged and buffered (if applicable) by target feature layer using the following data sources: 1.Bird Studies Canada (BSC) BC Coastal Waterbirds Survey (BCCWS_polygons.shp). 2.Coastal Waterbird Inventory Survey (cwi_bc.shp, cwidat_bc.dbf). 3.BC Ferry Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen (transects_poly150.shp). 4.Victoria Capital Region District Harbours Atlas. (Bird_survey_polygons.shp). 5.West Vancouver Island Waterbird Survey. (qwcsln_vi_r2.shp). 6.Alan Burger data (Southwest VI Shelf seabirds). 7.Pacific Pelagic Seabird Surveys (Pacific_Pelagic_Seabird_Survey_AreaSurveyed.shp).
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: unknown
Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -132.098655
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.358167
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 54.403530
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.145450
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus:
REQUIRED: Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of theme keywords.
Theme_Keyword: Mew gull
Theme_Keyword: winter
Theme_Keyword: weighted densities
Place:
Place_Keyword: British Columbia
Access_Constraints:
This dataset is subject to the terms and conditions of the data use agreements for the source datasets.
Use_Constraints:
This dataset is subject to the terms and conditions of the data use agreements for the source datasets.
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Karin Bodtker
Contact_Organization: British Columbia Marine Conservation Analysis
Contact_Position: BCMCA Co-Chair
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 1405-207 West Hastings Street
City: Vancouver
State_or_Province: BC
Postal_Code: V6B 1H7
Country: Canada
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 6046965044
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: kbodtker@livingoceans.org
Native_Data_Set_Environment:
Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.3500
Data_Quality_Information:
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Contribution:
Bird Studies Canada (BSC) BC Coastal Waterbirds Survey. Dataset name: BCCWS_polygons.shp. Metadata document: Coastal Waterbird Survey summary metadata March 2007.doc. Volunteer-based monitoring program for coastal waterbirds started in September 1999. The monthly surveys are shoreline-based for the period of September through April. Observers undertake surveys at sites with clearly defined boundaries once per month from September through April, and identify and count all coastal waterbirds with binoculars and/or spotting scope. Purpose is to obtain a relative index of coastal waterbird populations and information on the distribution and ecology of wintering coastal waterbirds in BC. Dataset supplied includes spatial layer. All bird occurrences and counts stored in a raw data format and included within excel spreadsheet; approx 75,000 records. Bird occurrences are documented by site location, rather than individual sighting locations and can be joined to spatial polygon data via SiteCode. Refer to original metadata document (listed above) for more information regarding survey background, methodology and data limitations.
Source_Information:
Source_Contribution:
Coastal Waterbird Inventory Survey. Dataset name: cwi_bc.shp. Associated tables: cwidat_bc.dbf, cwilut_bc.dbf. Metadata document: cwi_meatadata_26March07.doc. Extent: Coast Wide. Compilation of data from Duck Unlimited and Canadian Wildlife Service. Includes ground surveys (back to 1919), boat surveys, and aerial surveys. The surveys were conducted with the primary purpose of locating concentrations of waterbirds on the coast of British Columbia. Originally the data were received in five separate files (CWIF1.DBF, CWIF2.DBF, CWIF3.DBF, CWIF4.DBF, CWIF5.DBF) and were combined into above tables. Refer to original metadata document (listed above) for more information regarding survey background, methodology and data limitations.
Source_Information:
Source_Contribution:
BC Ferry Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. Dataset name: transects_poly150.shp. Metadata document: ferrySurveys_meta20080208.doc. Extent: Southern Strait of Georgia. Strip transects conducted aboard BC Ferry vessel transiting between the Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen terminals. Counts were conducted during four back to back crossings, on each of three consecutive days (for a total of 12 crossings) each month. The area (km2) surveyed was determined using the width on either side of vessel 150m. DBF table (Survey_data) contains estimated segment length, survey width, and area. Bird densities derived from counts/area (km sq). Spatial data supplied consists of line shapefile with original transect linework, and polygon shapefile with transects buffered to a 300m total width. Refer to original metadata document (listed above) for more information regarding survey background, methodology and data limitations.
Source_Information:
Source_Contribution:
Victoria Capital Region District Harbours Atlas. Dataset name: Bird_survey_polygons.shp. Metadata document: Not supplied, however, updated using ArcCatalog. CRD supplied 2 spatial polygon layers (Bird_survey_polygons & VEHEAP_Harbours_Sub_Areas), 2 DBF's (HARB9798 & HARB99), and 2 excel workbooks (Biird_S_Graphs & Bird_Survey_wo_Marine-Birds_By_Area_And_Season). Polygons used for displaying data from 1997-1999 bird surveys. Includes Portage Inlet, Gorge Waterway, Victoria Harbour, Esquimalt Harbour, and Esquimalt Lagoon. Note: Used HEIR (TRIM where there was no HEIR) shore combined with polygons digitized from un-projected file used for original survey.
Source_Information:
Source_Contribution:
West Vancouver Island Waterbird Survey. Dataset name: qwcsln_vi_r2.shp. Metadata document: pwrc_meta_WVI_birds_1999-2000.doc. Extent: West Coast Vancouver Island. The data supplied are the results of six aerial surveys of waterbirds conducted on the west coast of Vancouver Island during the spring of 1999 and the winter of 2000. The surveys covered approximately 50% of the 3900 km shoreline between Cape Scott and Port San Juan. Two observers, both in the rear of the aircraft, recorded all birds along transect within 50 m of either side of the plane. A third person, seated in the front, recorded the observations. Supplied datasets: line shapefile storing transect data and point shapefile storing transect point locations (lat/long). Excel spreadsheet with raw survey data - bird occurrences and counts. Refer to original metadata document (listed above) for more information regarding survey background, methodology and data limitations.
Source_Information:
Source_Contribution:
Alan Burger data: Southwest VI Shelf seabirds (Data and leg files: shf_data, shf_plotted_data, tb_data, tb_plotted_data). Metadata document: Burger methodology.doc. Other documentation: legend_beale_new_cjg.xls. Extent: West Coast Vancouver Island. Data supplied and organized in two folders: Data Files and Leg files. Folders contain various files for each traverse of the transect carried out by Dr. A. Burger off the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Each of the leg files contains minute by minute observation location for a coordinating bird observation data file. Process to spatially locate bird observation data from 1987 to 1995 undertaken by Catherine Griffiths (GIS Consultant). Refer to original metadata document (listed above) for more information regarding survey background, methodology and data limitations.
Source_Information:
Source_Contribution:
Pelagic Seabird Survey. Dataset name: Pacific_Pelagic_Seabird_Survey_areasurveyed.shp. Metadata document: Pelagic_Seabird_Survey_Metadata Apr 02_08.doc. Extent: Coast Wide. Pelagic bird surveys were conducted along the coast of British Columbia from 1982-2005. Seabirds were counted opportunistically from aboard DFO research vessels traveling along pre-determined routes off the coast of British Columbia. During early surveys, birds were counted in a 180º forward-facing field, from the bow of the vessel out to 250 m on either side (i.e. total survey strip width 500 m). However, since approximately 2006, surveys have been conducted only on one side of the vessel out to 250m. Most observations were made from the deck above the ship's bridge (approximately 15 m above the surface of the water). All seabirds seen within the survey strip were counted, identified to species if possible (otherwise to genus or family) and recorded. Datasets received: 3 feature classes within geodatabase (point, line, and polygon). These 3 feature classes correspond to the same data but simply represent the data as a transect centroid, of the trackline the vessel followed, and the resultant area surveyed. There are also 3 attribute data tables: Species_Survey_Data, Species_Data, Species_Code. Refer to original metadata document (listed above) for more information regarding survey background, methodology and data limitations.
Source_Information:
Source_Contribution: BCMCA 2 km x 2 km planning units for the Canadian Pacific EEZ.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
<<The methods used to combine datasets to identify areal extents and densities of California, Herring, Mew, and Thayer's gull winter sites are as follows >>
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
\\CRMLTD03\E$\F\Crm1143\Source\080818_SourceDocs\Original_Data\Plants\BCMCA_Plants.gdb
Process_Step:
Process_Description: 
>Prepared BC Coastal Waterbirds Survey dataset:
Imported excel worksheets "BCCWS raw data 1, raw data 2, raw data 3" from Coastal Waterbird Survey data '99-'08.xls into a geodatabase. To join tables to spatial, created new field, SITECODE, in all 3 tables. Using field calculator, populated SITECODE field with following formula: [RegionCode]& [SiteNumber]. Create one field storing date (ymd) rather than 3 fields. Populated field using field calculator with the following formula: [Year_]&"/"& [Month_]&"/"& [Day_]. To combine all 3 tables into one table, used the Append tool and appended raw data 2 and raw data 3 to raw data 1 table. Deleted "Year_" Month_" and "Day_" fields using Delete Field tool. Added 3 new fields using Add Field tool: Feature, Data_Source, Dataset_ID. Populated fields using Calculate Field tool. Feature field calculated to equal the SpeciesCode field. Standardized the Feature field naming convention to equal the common name of the marine species rather than the abbreviated species code. Data_Source field calculated to equal the name of the dataset from which data was derived. Dataset_ID field calculated to equal the common dataset identifier as categorized by BCMCA.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Re-projected spatial layer from NAD 1983 Albers to NAD 1983 BC Environment Albers using Project tool. All polygons with the same Sitecode were merged so that there were no duplications in the Sitecode field. To ensure areas matched in both the spatial and the survey data, the total shape area in the spatial was summed where duplicate Sitecodes and cross-checked with area recorded in corresponding SiteCode records in raw excel data. Once the areas were verified, duplicate polygons were merged using merge operation (Advanced Editor toolbar) into one and Name field updated to reflect entire survey location. Duplicate SiteCode records were found in GIMA1 (3 records), GIMA2 (4 records), GISE1 (2 records), and QCMA4 (2 records).
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Using MS Access query, selected all records within raw data table where SpeciesCode = 'CAGU', 'HERG', 'MEGU', 'THGU' with survey months >9 or <3. Conducted queries separately and exported selected species' records into individual feature tables. To calculate the total number of surveys, two queries were created using Microsoft Access. The first query was created to record all instances of survey dates meeting the features' winter specifications within each survey polygon (i.e. each date instance was assigned a value of 1), grouped and ordered by polygon. To eliminate duplicate counts (i.e. each species recorded has a survey date), only the first date instance was assigned a value of one. The second query was created to count and sum all date instances within each grouped polygon.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
For each SiteCode, summarized feature table to get the average bird counts. Included the number of surveys in which the species was sighted and the total number of survey tables. Joined feature table to spatial using SiteCode field and exported into a feature class. Added a new field, Season, and calculated to equal the season in which the feature is identified as specified by BCMCA. Note: a few records in the aspatial table did not have matching SiteCodes within the spatial layer. Deleted all unnecessary fields using Delete Fields tool.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
<<Prepared Coastal Waterbird Inventory Survey dataset: Using MS Access query, selected all records within cwidat_bc table where SPECIES = 'HERG', 'MEGU', 'THGU' with survey months >9 or <3. Since the SEASON field within CWI dataset does not necessarily correlate with BCMCA specified "winter" months, used the DATE field in query rather than season field. Conducted queries separately and exported selected species' records into individual feature tables.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Re-projected cwi_bc.shp from PCS Albers to NAD 1983 BC Environment Albers using Project tool. Related 2 survey tables (cwilut_bc/cwidat_bc) to spatial, and extracted all spatial lines correlating to target feature into a separate feature class. Reviewed Digitized field and where "F2", spatial lines were merged according to each unique combination of SHOREUNITS2 field to create a one-to-one relationship with the survey data. New fields were created (UNIQUEID, NEWID) in order to provide a link to the corresponding survey data. Where applicable, all null and non-spatially linked shoreunits in the feature tables were deleted in order to maintain the same record count in both the spatial and table (refer to associated text file listing null and non-spatially linked records). Joined cwidat_bc feature table to spatial layer using NEWID field and exported to a feature class. Added 5 new fields using Add Field tool: Season, Feature, DATA_SOURCE, Dataset_ID and Buffer_m. Populated fields using Calculate Field tool. Season field calculated to equal the season in which the feature is identified as specified by BCMCA. Feature field calculated to equal common name of the marine feature as identified within the COMNAME field. DATA_SOURCE calculated to equal the name of the dataset from which data was derived. Dataset_ID field calculated to equal the common dataset identifier as categorized by BCMCA. Buffer field calculated based on Survey_Method used: 50m radius (ground, air, and unknown surveys), 150m radius (boat surveys). Buffered shorelines using Buffer tool based on Buffer field. Deleted un-necessary fields using Delete Field tool.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
<<Prepared BC Ferry dataset: Added a new field within the Survey_data table to store the date (within first 6 digits of Transect_ID field) and calculated to read yyyy/mm/dd format. Selected all records within Survey_data where [CAGO] > 0, [MEGU] >0, [THGU] >0, [HEGU] >0 and survey months >9 or <3. Conducted queries separately and exported selected species' records into individual feature tables. To calculate the total number of surveys, two queries were created using Microsoft Access. The first query was created to record all instances of survey dates meeting the features' winter specifications within each segment (i.e. each date instance was assigned a value of 1), and then grouped and ordered by Segment_ID. To eliminate duplicate counts (i.e. each species recorded has a survey date), only the first date instance was assigned a value of one. The second query was created to count and sum all date instances within each grouped Segment. A similar query to the above was used to calculate the surveys in which species were sighted. Data was recorded in various time intervals along a segment on a given survey date. In these cases, only the first unique survey date was given a count value of one to avoid redundant survey counts and for consistency with the total surveys count.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
For each Segment_ID, summarized feature table by average bird counts. Included the number of surveys in which the species was sighted and the total number of survey tables. Added 4 fields using Add Field tool: Season, Feature, Data_Source, Dataset_ID. Populated fields using Calculate Field tool. Season field calculated to equal the season in which the feature is identified as specified by BCMCA. Feature field calculated to equal the common name of the marine species as identified within species code attribute. Data_Source field calculated to equal the name of the dataset from which the data was derived. Dataset_ID field calculated to equal the common dataset identifier as categorized by BCMCA. Joined feature table to spatial layer using Segment_ID field in the table and Segment field in the spatial and exported into a feature class. Re-project from NAD 1983 Albers to NAD 1983 BC Environment Albers using Project tool. Buffered line segments by 150m (radius) using Buffer tool.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
<<Prepared CRD dataset: Prepared Year_Round_Calcs excel spreadsheet within Biird_S_Graphs.xls and imported to a geodatabase table. Re-formatted Date_field to string and (yyyy/mm/dd) format. Using Microsoft Access query builder, selected all Species equal to 'MEGU,'THGU', 'CAGU', 'HERG' and survey months >9 or <3. Conducted queries separately and exported selected species' records into individual feature tables. To calculate the total number of surveys, two queries were created. The first query was created to record all instances of survey dates meeting the features' winter specifications within each polygon (i.e. each date instance was assigned a value of 1), and then grouped and ordered by polygon. To eliminate duplicate counts (i.e. each species recorded has a survey date), only the first date instance was assigned a value of one. The second query was created to count and sum all date instances within each grouped polygon. A similar query to the above was used to calculate the surveys in which species were sighted. In some cases, data was recorded within a polygon on the same survey date, usually when there was more than one observer. In these cases, only the first unique survey date was given a count value of one to avoid redundant survey counts and for consistency with the total surveys count.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Re-projected Bird_surveys_polygons from NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N to NAD 1983 BC Environment Albers using Project tool. For each polygon, summarized feature table by average bird counts. Included total species sighted and total number of survey tables. Added 4 new fields using Add Field tool: Season, Feature, Data_Source, Dataset_ID. Populated fields using Calculate field tool. Season field calculated to equal the season in which the feature is identified as specified by BCMCA. Feature field calculated to equal the common name of the marine species as identified within the Species field. Data_Source field calculated to equal the name of the dataset from which the data was derived. Dataset_ID field calculated to equal the common dataset identifier as categorized by BCMCA. Joined feature tables to spatial layer using Poly field in spatial and Polygon field in table and exported to a feature class. Deleted unnecessary field using Delete Field tool.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
<<Prepared West Vancouver Island Waterbird Survey dataset: Defined projection from unknown to NAD 1983 BC Environment Albers using Define Projection tool. Converted shapefile to feature class using feature class to feature class tool.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Using MS Access query, selected all records within tblBirds where species = 'MEGU', 'HEGU' with survey months >9 or <3. Extract selected records into separate feature tables. Included the number of surveys in which the species was sighted and the total number of surveys for that area in that time period. To calculate the total number of surveys, two queries were created using Microsoft Access. The first query was created to record all instances of survey dates meeting the features' winter specifications on each transect (i.e. each date instance was assigned a value of 1), and then grouped and ordered by transect. To eliminate duplicate counts (i.e. each species recorded has a survey date), only the first date instance was assigned a value of one. The second query was created to count and sum all date instances within each grouped transect. A similar query to the above was used to calculate the surveys in which species were sighted. In some cases, data was recorded in various time intervals along a transect on a given survey date. In these cases, only the first unique survey date was given a count value of one to avoid redundant survey counts and for consistency with the total surveys count. Microsoft Access 2000
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
For each TRANSCT_ID, summarized data to display average bird counts for all months/years. Added 3 fields using Add Field tool: Feature, Data_Source, Dataset_ID. Populated fields using Calculate field tool. Feature field calculated to equal the common name of the marine feature identified within the Species field. DATA_SOURCE calculated to equal the name of the dataset from which data was derived. Dataset_ID field calculated to equal the common dataset identifier as categorized by BCMCA. Joined feature table to spatial line layer (qwcsln_vi_rz.shp) using TRANSCT_ID field and exported to a feature class. Buffered lines by 50m (radius). Note: original line work likely not cleaned, some overshoots (bends) and splits occur. Flat end buffer types do not handle bends/splits as it creates small triangles.
Process_Step:
Process_Description: 
>Prepared Burger data:
Exported all excel survey worksheets (those labeled "coded") into a personal geodatabase. Appended all relevant survey tables into one master table. Added 2 new fields to spatial layer using Add Field tool: Mid_XCOORD, Mid_YCOORD and calculated the midpoint geometry. Displayed XY data and exported XY using NAD 1983 BC Environment Albers to a class. Merged all midpoints together for each applicable folder (i.e. shf_files_plotted). Used identify duplicate fields calculation to make sure keycode field is unique. Using Microsoft Access query, selected all records within burger data files (coded_with_behaviour) where [cagut] > 0, [megut] > 0, [heguWat] > 0, [thgut] > 0 with survey months >9 or <3 and exported to separate feature tables. Joined master survey table to spatial layer using keycode field in both spatial and aspatial. Deleted all species' fields except those relevant to the target feature(s) identified. Data_Source field calculated to equal the name of the dataset from which the data was derived. Dataset_ID field calculated to equal the common dataset identifier as categorized by BCMCA. Surveys_Total and Surveys_Species_Sighted fields calculated to equal one to reflect each keycode value. nbirds_Total field calculated to equal the value recorded in the species' survey table. Buffered line transects to 150m (radius) using Buffer tool.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
<<Reviewed MBAOI, LBCS, BIEAP and Moulting Sea Duck data: Dataset was not used for feature creation as all data within MBAOI has already been received and processed. All other dataset was not used for feature creation as species identified did not meet the specified "winter" month feature requirements.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Merged all prepared datasets using Merge tool to create one layer storing all Gull winter sites. During merge process like fields were combined using Field Map window to eliminate duplicate or redundant column headings. Field map was also used to eliminate unnecessary fields not applicable for final feature layer requirements.
Process_Step:
Process_Description: Created Metadata
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person:
Steps up to and including this one completed by Melissa Meneghetti
Contact_Organization: Coastal Resource Mapping
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The Mew Gull feature was extracted from the Gulls_Final feature class using Select By Attributes. Records where [FEATURE] = 'Mew gull' were exported to a new feature class.
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Mathew Evans
Contact_Organization: BCMCA
Contact_Position: GIS Contractor
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
<<Prepared and added PSS dataset: Steps taken prior to CRM processing: Reconciliation of data files - Survey data was originally input and stored in various MS Excel. Field names and records were standardized for all spreadsheets. In addition to design standards, date information was reconciled to conform to international date formats. This is important to address year 2000 date issues. All spreadsheets were converted into DBF files. Creation of relational database - The original database design was assessed and redesigned to conform to GIS conventions and standards. A single key identifier uniquely identifies all features. These features link to the pelagic shipboard survey tabular data (one-to-many data relationship), based on the single key identifier in that database. The key identifier is a concatenation of the date, original transect identifier, and the original survey identifier. Transposing of fields and other programming - It was necessary to transpose species information that was stored as many fields (100+) into a single species field. By storing species information into a relational database, query effort is simplified and processing more efficient. A GIS automation script was created to automate the process that would otherwise have had to been conducted manually.
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person:
All steps including and following this one performed by Melissa Meneghetti
Contact_Organization: Coastal Resource Mapping
Contact_Position: Spatial Analyst
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Processing steps undertaken by CRM: Projected from GCS 1983 to NAD 1983 BC Environment Albers using Project tool. Selected all records within Species_data where [MEGU] > 0, behaviour = 2 and survey months >9 or <3. Species' records meeting the criteria were exported into a feature table.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
For each Gis_key, summarized feature table to get the total bird counts on the water. Included the number of surveys in which the species was sighted (derived through the summarization process) and the total number of surveys field was calculated to one. Joined feature table to spatial using Gis_key field and exported into a separate feature classes. Populated the Season field to equal the season in which the feature is identified as specified by BCMCA. Data_Source field populated to equal the name of the dataset from which the data was derived. Dataset_ID field populate to equal the common dataset identifier as categorized by BCMCA.
Process_Step:
Process_Description: 
>Created Survey File:
Added 2 new fields: Area_km2 and Density_km2. Area_km2 calculated by multiplying the shape area (m2) by .000001. Density_km2 Density field calculated using the following formula: [nbird_Total / [Area_km2]. Deleted one record from the Coastal Waterbird Inventory file where nbirds_Total was '-999'.
Process_Step:
Process_Description: Updated Metadata
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Process_Step:
Process_Description: 
>Created Final Processed File:
Overlaid merged feature polygons with BCMCA planning units using Spatial Join tool. Tool parameter example: Target Feature = dfo_bc_2k_4k_combined.shp, Join Features = feature layer, Join Operation = Join_One_to_Many, Match Option = Intersects. To create the final processed file, summarized data by planning unit ID and calculated the sum of the total surveys, the sum of the surveys species sighted, and the sum of the density. Added a new field: AVG_DENSITY_km2. Calculated field using the following formula: [sum_DENSITY_km2] / [sum_SURVEYS_TOTAL].
Process_Step:
Process_Description: Updated Metadata
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Melissa Meneghetti
Contact_Organization: Coastal Resource Mapping
Process_Step:
Process_Description: 
>Created Marxan File:
Reviewed the distribution of the data in the final processed file using 5 quantiles as defined by BCMCA. Deleted the planning units with average densities that fell within the bottom quantile. Species was used to create the at-sea density feature. To avoid double representation, overlaid feature with at_sea_density.shp and deleted planning units from the marxan file that were identical to those planning units with densities greater than zero in the at sea density feature.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The distribution of average density values across the BCMCA planning units was examined for normality and it was found to be skewed (i.e., there were a few very large values which would have biased Marxan toward choosing these planning units to meet any target set). To account for this, the density values were transformed using a natural log function to normalize the data. Then the transformed values were shifted (if below zero) such that the lowest value was equal to 1 (i.e., a positive constant was added to each value). The values in the [Transform_Density] field are the result of this transformation and the distribution of these values across the planning units is near-normal.
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Processing performed by Melissa Meneghetti
Contact_Organization: Coastal Resource Mapping
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
A few polygons were left that still overlapped with the areas surveyed for the Pelagic Seabird Surveys, BC Ferry Survey or Alan Burger Surveys that were used to create the At-Sea Marine Bird Density feature. Using the survey file, the planning units that resulted from those surveys were selected and removed to ensure no duplication of data.
Process_Date: April 2010
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Carrie Robb
Contact_Organization: Living Oceans Society (for BCMCA)
Contact_Position: GIS Specialist
Process_Step:
Process_Description: Unit ID updated to match new BCMCA planning unit IDs
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: O:\BCMCA\Data_Andy_temp_June07\Nearshore_metadata\MewGull.xml
Process_Date: June 2010
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Andy Pettersson
Contact_Organization: BCMCA
Contact_Position: GIS Contractor
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: G-polygon
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 1318
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Label point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 39346
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: GT-polygon composed of chains
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 39346
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 4
Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Planar:
Map_Projection:
Map_Projection_Name: Albers Conical Equal Area
Albers_Conical_Equal_Area:
Standard_Parallel: 50.000000
Standard_Parallel: 58.500000
Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -126.000000
Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 45.000000
False_Easting: 1000000.000000
False_Northing: 0.000000
Planar_Coordinate_Information:
Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair
Coordinate_Representation:
Abscissa_Resolution: 0.000000
Ordinate_Resolution: 0.000000
Planar_Distance_Units: meters
Geodetic_Model:
Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983
Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257222
Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Altitude_System_Definition:
Altitude_Resolution: 0.000100
Altitude_Encoding_Method:
Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Detailed_Description:
Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label: MewGull
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: OBJECTID_1
Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.
Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Shape_Area
Attribute_Definition: Area of feature in internal units squared.
Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: UNIT_ID
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Shape
Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.
Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Cnt_UNIT_ID
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Sum_SURVEYS_SPECIES_SIGHTED
Attribute_Definition:
Sum of the survey in which species sighted fields for each survey area by planning unit.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Sum_SURVEYS_TOTAL
Attribute_Definition: Sum of the survey fields for each survey area by planning unit.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Sum_DENSITY_km2
Attribute_Definition:
Sum of the density fields for each survey area by planning unit.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: AVG_DENSITY_km2
Attribute_Definition: Weighted average by dividing the density sum by the survey sum.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Shape_Length
Attribute_Definition: Length of feature in internal units.
Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: LOG
Attribute_Definition:
The average density values were transformed using a natural log function in Arcmap to normalize the data.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: TRANSFORM_DENSITY
Attribute_Definition:
The transformed values were shifted such that the lowest value was equal to 1 by applying a positive constant to all values to achieve a near-normal distribution.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: ID
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
Species' targeted season, moulting and staging months were defined using the following tech report: <http://www.bsc-eoc.org/library/bccwstrends2008.pdf>.
Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: British Columbia Marine Conservation Analysis
Contact_Instructions: See www.bcmca.ca for distribution details
Resource_Description: Downloadable Data
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Transfer_Size: 50.954
Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20100617
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Carrie Robb
Contact_Organization: Living Oceans Society (for BCMCA)
Contact_Position: GIS Specialist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 1405-207 West Hastings Street
City: Vanvouver
State_or_Province: BC
Postal_Code: V6B 1H7
Country: Canada
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 604-696-5044
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: crobb@livingoceans.org
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata_Time_Convention: local time
Metadata_Extensions:
Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>
Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile
Metadata_Extensions:
Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>
Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile
Generated by mp version 2.9.6 on Thu Aug 26 15:11:09 2010